Low friction rope guard and edge protector with radius protection and guide rails

ABSTRACT

An edge protector for placement between an edge and a rope according to embodiments of the present invention includes an inner surface having a rope guide, the rope guide including a first guide rail, a second guide rail, and a rope travel path between the first and second guide rails along which the rope slides in a rope travel direction, and an outer surface comprising one or more edge engagement bands, the one or more edge engagement bands oriented substantially perpendicularly to the rope travel direction and configured to engage the edge to deter slippage of the edge protector with respect to the edge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/302,944, filed on Feb. 9, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to rope protection, and more specifically to systems and methods for protecting a rope as it slides over an edge.

BACKGROUND

When rope is rigged so that it runs over an edge, severe stress is put on the rope that can cause the rope to fail. Current solutions involve using a simple edge protector, which is usually made of canvas or coated nylon and is rectangular in shape. Such simple edge protectors are wrapped over the rope, secured back on themselves with Velcro® and then placed on the edge over which the rope runs.

Edge protectors made of nylon or coated nylon are typically suitable for use only in static situations in which the rope does not slide over the surface of the edge protector. If rope slides over a surface made of a thermoplastic material, so much heat friction is often generated that it melts both the edge protector and the rope.

Edge protectors made of canvas are typically used in situations in which the rope slides over the surface of the edge protector. Canvas does not melt. However, this still presents a problem because thermoplastic rope sliding over canvas typically generates enough heat to melt the rope.

There are many rescue situations that call for a rope going over an edge, and then for the rope to be pulled back up over the edge with a victim and/or object. High friction edge protectors generate so much friction against the rope that it is very difficult to pull the load back up. In order to pull the rope back up, complex pulley systems are typically needed. Even then, this puts immense stress on the rope and causes the rescuers to work more slowly.

There are many rescue situations that call for a rope going over an edge, and then for the rope to continue to slide over the edge while the victim and/or object is being lowered to the ground. When the edge protector has high friction against the rope, it is possible for descent to be hindered to the point that the victim and/or object can become stuck in mid-descent.

When a rope runs over an edge with a small radius, it puts large stresses on the rope that can cause the rope to fail. Edge protectors are typically a single or double layer of fabric. When laid over an edge, they do little to increase the radius that the rope must run over. Such simple edge protectors are often doubled up and/or a coat is placed under the edge protector to increase the radius over which the rope runs. These approaches require extra time and are typically not stable or reliable.

If a rope slips off or out of its edge protector during a rescue and makes direct contact with a sharp or rough edge, it can cause the rope to fail. Most makeshift edge protectors make no attempt to restrain the rope and keep it within the dimensions of the edge protector. Some existing commercial edge protectors wrap around the rope and connect back to themselves with Velcro® as the sole mechanism for edge protection. If an edge protector slips over the edge, either up or down, it may still be on the rope, but it no longer protects the rope against the edge. This can cause a rope to fail.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a low coefficient of friction against the rope so that heat is not generated as the rope slides over the edge protector which can damage the rope. The edge protector uses a low coefficient of friction material as the layer that contacts the rope, according to embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, it may use a Teflon® impregnated fiberglass and/or other similar material with a low coefficient of friction as the layer that contacts the rope, according to embodiments of the present invention.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the edge protector has a pair of internal guide rails that run parallel to the rope and keep the rope in place inside the edge protector, as a way to guide the rope inside the edge protector so that the rope does not slip outside the edge protector.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, because the edge protector uses internal guide rails to secure and channel the path of the rope inside the edge protector, the closing of the edge protector is accomplished by means of a simple “sandwich” flap that is quick and easy, and presents a faster and easier way to close and secure the edge protector around the rope.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the edge protector has a plurality of bands on the side that contacts the edge. The sharp edge fits between the bands and the bands keep the edge protector from slipping up or down, so that it protects the rope during the entire duration of the rescue, according to embodiments of the present invention. A secondary means may be used to secure the position of the edge protector, such as a rope or strap attached to the edge protector.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the edge protector includes a plurality of raised bands on the side that contacts the sharp edge, which serve to increase the radius of the rope path and reduce stress on the rope so that the rope is not damaged.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an inside plan view of an edge protector in an open configuration, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom plan view of the edge protector of FIG. 1 in the open configuration, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom plan view of the edge protector of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a closed configuration, according to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top and side inside perspective view of the edge protector of FIGS. 1-3 in the open configuration, according to embodiments of the present invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an edge protector 100 for placement between an edge and a rope 102, according to embodiments of the present invention. Edge protector 100 includes an inner surface 106 which includes a rope guide 104, according to embodiments of the present invention. The rope guide 104 includes guide rails 108 with a rope travel path 103 between the guide rails 108 along which the rope 102 slides in a rope travel direction 130, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the rope guide 104 is formed with material that has a low coefficient of friction against rope 102, for example, Teflon®-impregnated and coated fiberglass material. Each guide rail 108 may be formed by forming a pleat, loop, tube, and/or fold in the rope guide 104 material substantially along the rope travel direction 130, and then stitching the material loop at its base 110 (e.g. either back onto itself and/or to an underlying layer of the device 100), according to embodiments of the present invention. Once the loop for the guide rail 108 has been formed, its ends may be stitched flat at or near end borders 112, according to embodiments of the present invention.

During formation of the guide rails 108, various materials may be inserted within the tube and/or loop before the base 110 is stitched, so as to stiffen and/or reinforce the guide rails 108, according to embodiments of the present invention. For example, rope, pieces of rope, foam, filler material, plastic rods, and/or a combination of such materials may be inserted within the fold and/or tube for stiffening and/or reinforcement, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the layer of the inner surface 106 just below the rope guide 104 is a rubber-coated Nylon layer, such as, for example, Hypalon® coated Nylon. In some cases, the rubber-coated Nylon layer or other underlying layer may be folded and/or looped along with the rope guide 104 material to form the guide rails 108, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Anchor attachment loops 114 may be stitched and/or otherwise attached to the edge protector 100 to permit the edge protector 100 to be anchored and/or tied off (e.g. with a runner cord of the like) to further prevent slippage of the edge protector 100 with respect to the edge as the rope 102 travels along the rope travel path 103, according to embodiments of the present invention. For example, a runner cord could be tied through one of the anchor attachment loops 114 and then tied to an object that is fixed with respect to the edge over which the edge protector 100 is placed. Alternatively, two different runner cords could each be attached to anchor attachment loops 114, one at each end of the rope travel path 103, to minimize slippage for rope 102 travel in both directions. The one or more anchor attachment loops 114 may be attached to the device 100 at or near the ends of the rope travel path 103, without interfering with the rope travel path 103, according to embodiments of the present invention, for better stabilization of the device 100 along the rope travel path 103. Although anchor attachment loops 114 are described, one of ordinary skill in the art, based on the present disclosure, will appreciate that various other anchoring mechanisms may be included with device 100 to tie down and/or minimize large-scale slippage of the edge protector 100 with respect to the rope, and/or deter the entire device 100 from sliding past the edge and down the rope 102, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Edge alignment indicators 116 may be included on the device 100 to visually indicate a possible or optimal placement of the edge protector 100 with respect to the edge. For example, the edge alignment indicators 116 may be tabs and/or flags and/or loops and/or the like attached at a position along the rope travel path 103 indicating where, underneath the rope guide 104, edge engagement bands 204 are located, according to embodiments of the present invention. Because the edge protector 100 would normally be laid over the edge with the inside 106 facing away from the edge, including a visual indicator 116 on the inside 106 and/or on the device 100 visible from any angle and/or whether the device 100 is in an open or closed configuration permits the user to position the device 100 properly 100 with respect to the edge without actually looking at the bottom of the device. This can save time in an emergency, for example.

Although embodiments of the present invention are described as having components attached via stitching and/or sewing, one of ordinary skill in the art, based on the disclosure provided herein, will appreciate that the various components may be formed and/or coupled to one another via a combination of one or more of stitching, sewing, adhesive, welding, pressure fit, clamps, pins, rivets, and staples.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bottom of the edge protector 100 includes an outer or bottom surface 202, which includes one or more edge engagement bands 204, according to embodiments of the present invention. The one or more edge engagement bands 204 are oriented substantially perpendicularly to the rope travel direction 130 and are configured to engage the edge to deter slippage of the edge protector 100 with respect to the edge, according to embodiments of the present invention. For example, if the edge protector 100 is laid over an edge such that the edge falls between two of the edge engagement bands 204, the curvature and/or bending and/or folding of the edge protector 100, as well as the thickness of the edge engagement bands 204, increases the radius of bending of the rope, thereby minimizing the risk that the rope will be damaged, frayed, and/or broken by the friction and/or abrasion of the edge. Further, the rope guide 104 helps to maintain the rope 102 traveling along a certain rope travel path 103 over and perpendicularly to the edge engagement bands 204, according to embodiments of the present invention.

The edge engagement bands 204 maybe formed similarly to the guide rails 108, according to embodiments of the present invention. For example, the bottom surface 202 layer may be folded, looped, and/or formed into a tube, and then sewn back onto itself and/or to an underlying layer at base 206, according to embodiments of the present invention. Similarly, pieces of rope and/or other fillers or stabilizers may be included within the edge engagement bands 204 to increase their stiffness and/or stability, and/or to increase their thickness (for increasing the radius of bending/curvature of the rope 102). The ends of such folds or tubes may be stitched flat at ends 208, according to embodiments of the present invention.

Although FIG. 2 illustrates six edge engagement bands 204, with the edge alignment indicators 116 indicating an edge alignment between the two inner most edge engagement bands 204, fewer or more edge engagement bands 204 may be used. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the edge protector 100 includes two edge engagement bands 204; according to other embodiments of the present invention, the edge protector 100 includes four edge engagement bands 204. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the edge protector 100 includes a single edge engagement band 204 configured for placement adjacent the edge. The greater the number of edge engagement bands 204 included, the less precise a user need be with placing the edge protector 100, and/or the more options the user has for deciding which two edge engagement bands 204 to place the edge between, according to embodiments of the present invention.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the edge engagement bands 204 and/or the bottom layer 202 are formed of a layer of rubber-coated Nylon, such as, for example, Hypalon® coated Nylon. According to embodiments of the present invention, the outer layer 202 may be the same layer as the inner layer 106; according to other embodiments of the present invention, the outer layer 202 and inner layer 106 may be separated by one or more intervening layers of the same or different materials.

An extension of the inner layer 106 and/or outer layer 202 may be included in the form of a flap 120, according to embodiments of the present invention. The flap 120 may be folded over, such as at seam 122, onto and/or over the rope guide 104 to further retain the rope 102 within the rope guide 104, according to embodiments of the present invention. A strip of a hook material 118 and a loop material 119 (e.g. a Velcro® combination) or vice versa may be placed onto the inner surface 106 and the flap 120 to permit removable closure of the edge protector 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. Other removable closure elements may be used, according to embodiments of the present invention.

An edge-edge protector for rope 102 containing a surface 104 that contacts the rope 102 that has a low coefficient of friction against rope may be used. Teflon® impregnated and coated fiberglass may be used for rope guide 104, but other materials may be used, including but not limited to silicon coated fiberglass, silicon coated canvas, sacrificial polyethylene coated fiberglass or canvas, and/or high melt-temperature plastics such as polysulfone. Teflon® material may also be referred to as polytetrafluoroethylene (or “PTFE”) material.

An edge-protector 100 for rope 102 includes internal guide rails 108 running substantially parallel to the path 103 of the rope 102 to keep the rope 102 in place inside the edge-protector, according to embodiments of the present invention. The guide rails 108 may be curved or even conical, such that they guide and contain the rope 102 inside the edge protector 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to embodiments of the present invention, the guide rails 108 are separated by a distance that is at least equal to the diameter of the rope 102 used and not more than ten times the diameter of the rope 102 used. According to other embodiments of the present invention, the guide rails 108 are separated by a distance that is two to five times the diameter of the rope 102 used. According to yet other embodiments of the present invention, the guide rails 108 are separated by a distance that is two and a half to three times the diameter of the rope 102 used.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the width of the guide rails is determined by three factors: a) the diameter of rope 102 used, b) the number of ropes 102 the edge protector 100 contains during use, and c) minimizing size and weight. A second consideration may be the height of the guide rails 108 inside the edge protector 100. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the height of the guide rails 108 is a fourth to two and a half times the diameter of the rope 102; according to other embodiments of the present invention, the height of the guide rails 108 is a half to two times the diameter of the rope 102; and according to yet other embodiments of the present invention, the height of the guide rails 108 is three-fourths to one and a half times the diameter of the rope 102. The height of the guide rails is sufficient to contain the rope 102 and prevent the rope from rubbing against the inner surface (of the flap 120) of the edge protector 100, which increases friction, according to embodiments of the present invention.

An edge protector 100 with bands 204 on the outer surface 202 contacts the sharp edge that runs substantially perpendicular to the path 103 of the rope 102 inside the edge protector 100, according to embodiments of the present invention. These bands 204 serve to keep the edge protector 100 from slipping when the rope 102 is loaded and pulled either up or down, according to embodiments of the present invention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, these bands 204 are at least one millimeter in height; according to other embodiments of the present invention, these bands 204 are at least three millimeters in height; and according to yet other embodiments of the present invention, these bands 204 are at least five millimeters in height.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, the bands 204 are placed one to twenty-five millimeters apart; according to other embodiments of the present invention, the bands 204 are placed five to fifteen millimeters apart; and according to yet other embodiments of the present invention, the bands 204 are placed seven to thirteen millimeters apart.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, bands 204 serve to increase the radius of the rope path 103 over the edge and reduce stress on the rope 102. According to some embodiments of the present invention, such perpendicular bands 204 are at least one fourth the diameter of the rope 102; according to other embodiments of the present invention, such perpendicular bands 204 are at least one half the diameter of the rope 102; and according to yet other embodiments of the present invention, such perpendicular bands 204 are at least equal to the diameter of the rope 102. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the horizontal bands 204 are placed apart a distance equal to one fourth to five times the diameter of the rope 102; according to other embodiments of the present invention, the horizontal bands 204 are placed apart a distance equal to one half to three times the diameter of the rope 102; and according to yet other embodiments of the present invention, the horizontal bands are placed apart a distance equal to one and a half to two and a half times the diameter of the rope 102.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof. 

1. An edge protector for placement between an edge and a rope, the edge protector comprising: an inner surface comprising a rope guide, the rope guide comprising a first guide rail, a second guide rail, and a rope travel path between the first and second guide rails along which the rope slides in a rope travel direction; and an outer surface comprising one or more edge engagement bands, the one or more edge engagement bands oriented substantially perpendicularly to the rope travel direction and configured to engage the edge to deter slippage of the edge protector with respect to the edge.
 2. The edge protector of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the rope guide is formed with polytetrafluoroethylene-impregnated and coated fiberglass material.
 3. The edge protector of claim 1, wherein the rope guide comprises a polytetrafluoroethylene material.
 4. The edge protector of claim 1, wherein the one or more edge engagement bands is at least two edge engagement bands.
 5. The edge protector of claim 4, wherein the at least two engagement bands is at least four edge engagement bands.
 6. The edge protector of claim 5, wherein the at least four edge engagement bands is at least six edge engagement bands.
 7. The edge protector of claim 1, further comprising a flap configured to releasably secure over the rope guide.
 8. The edge protector of claim 7, wherein the flap comprises one of a hook material and a loop material, wherein the inner surface comprises the other of the hook material and the loop material, and wherein the flap releasably secures over the rope guide by attachment of the hook material to the loop material.
 9. The edge protector of claim 1, further comprising an attachment loop.
 10. The edge protector of claim 9, wherein the attachment loop is a first attachment loop coupled to a first side of the edge protector between the first and second guide rails.
 11. The edge protector of claim 10, further comprising a second attachment loop coupled to a second side of the edge protector, opposite the first side, between the first and second guide rails. 